Centre in crossroads on looming Karnataka crisis

New Delhi, May 16: A war of words erupted yet again between the Karnataka Governor, HR Bharadwaj and Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa decided to lock horns once again after the very public spat recently. With the grouse putting the BJP government in jeopardy, the Governor seems to be determined to end Yeddyurappa"s rule in the state.

With the spat leading to the Governor recommending President"s rule in the state, the Centre have gathered in a tizzy to discuss what the next course of action is to be. The Karnataka crisis has also led to a bone of contention between the BJP and the Congress, with the Centre trying hard to salvage the situation. An emergency meeting between the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister AK Antony is currently underway.

With no concrete knowledge of what the Governor"s report to the Centre contains, the Home Ministry is believed to be looking through it.

The BJP, however does not intend to take the matter lightly and have gone on the offensive at being unfairly targeted and has called for the Governor to be called back for being “unconstitutional" in both actions and words. They have also launched a dharna, 'Governor hatao, State bachao campaign". Terming the crisis politically motivated, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu has been quoted as saying, "The Governor has been taught a lesson once before yet he makes such a recommendation. We'll have to see if he's acted alone or at someone's behest. He wants to rule the state through back door. He's taken an undemocratic step. What ever we do, both BJP here and in Delhi, we will act together. I am confident that ultimately our government will be safe."

With Yeddyurappa"s new found confidence after the rebel MLAs promised their unconditional support after some hectic last-minute parleys, the leader seem to be ready to show his strength in the floor of the house. Meanwhile, the Governor seems to be hell-bent to spoil the CM"s happiness armed with the Supreme Court judgment that quashed the disqualification of the rebel MLAs. He argued that the present Karnataka government was illegal and had no right to be in office.

As a show of strength, Yeddyurappa may even decide to have a parade of all the 127 MLAs in front of the President. There are also reports that say that the state cabinet will send a formal note to Bharadwaj on Monday asking him to summon the Assembly session within a week.